https://biospectrumindia.com/rssfeed/healthcare/her%20health her health https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28641/vedantas-balco-medical-centre-expands-technology-access-for-early-breast-cancer-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28641/vedantas-balco-medical-centre-expands-technology-access-for-early-breast-cancer-detection.html Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:27:29 +0530 To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Vedanta Group, India’s leading metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology conglomerate, has announced two partnerships aimed at strengthening early detection and care for breast cancer. Through its flagship BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), one of India’s leading cancer care hospitals in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh, BMC has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with The DEAR Foundation, a Switzerland-based non-profit organisation, and the Translational AI for Networked Universal Healthcare (TANUH) Foundation to advance innovative and tech-led approaches towards breast health, enable early identification, timely diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. As part of its partnership with The DEAR Foundation, BMC will promote breast self-awareness among women in resource-constrained settings through Dear You, a free app offering step-by-step breast examination guidance in 11 languages, including Hindi, with reminders to encourage regular self-checks. Additionally, BMC and the TANUH Foundation at IISc Bengaluru, an AI Centre of Excellence in Healthcare set up by the Ministry of Education, will develop an AI-enabled screening tool that assesses breast cancer risk and help identify women who may require further evaluation through mammography. BMC will support with clinical and mammography data while keeping patient confidentiality intact to develop screening model tailored to Indian women, with the aim of enabling earlier detection and more affordable screening. With over 60% of breast cancer cases in India reportedly being diagnosed at Stage III or IV, the need for greater awareness and early detection is critical. Both these partnerships come at a crucial time as India fights its breast cancer battle. Today, it is the most diagnosed cancer among Indian women, yet many cases are still detected late.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28601/himalaya-wellness-csir-cdri-join-forces-to-develop-new-therapy-for-polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28601/himalaya-wellness-csir-cdri-join-forces-to-develop-new-therapy-for-polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome.html Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:55:06 +0530 Himalaya Wellness Company has entered into a licensing agreement with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow, to develop a new evidence-based intervention for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The collaboration brings together CSIR-CDRI’s expertise in drug discovery and phytopharmaceutical research with Himalaya’s capabilities in herbal research and product development. The partnership aims to advance the discovery and development of a safe and effective therapy for PMOS, a complex condition that affects approximately 1 in 8 women and more than 170 million people globally. Unlike conditions that affect a single organ or pathway, PMOS involves interconnected reproductive, metabolic, and endocrine factors. This complexity can make its management challenging and underscores the need for approaches that address the condition more comprehensively. Under the agreement, a standardised herbal extract developed by CSIR-CDRI scientists, Dr T. Narender and Dr Rajesh Jha, will be advanced by Himalaya Wellness Company, for its potential application in PMOS. The company will focus on formulation development, clinical safety, and efficacy evaluation, with the broader objective of translating scientific research into a potential therapeutic option for women. The collaboration reflects the growing importance of industry-academia partnerships in translating scientific discoveries into potential healthcare applications. By combining research capabilities, such partnerships can help advance innovation while enabling specialised scientific expertise and industry development capabilities to work towards a common healthcare objective. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/121/28551/population-specific-datasets-are-extremely-important-because-microbiome-composition-can-vary-with-geography-ethnicity-lifestyle-and-other-host-factors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/121/28551/population-specific-datasets-are-extremely-important-because-microbiome-composition-can-vary-with-geography-ethnicity-lifestyle-and-other-host-factors.html Thu, 01 Oct 2026 11:20:51 +0530 Your study is among the first to comprehensively map the cervical microbiome and inflammatory milieu in apparently healthy Indian women. What makes these findings particularly significant in the Indian healthcare and research context? Dr Deepti Tandon: Microbial composition varies across populations, and the microbiota of different anatomical sites of the female genital tract, although related, are not necessarily identical. Much of the available research has focused on the vaginal or cervicovaginal microbiome, while the cervical microbiome, particularly in apparently healthy Indian women, remains relatively underexplored. Our study specifically looked at the cervical microbiome along with the local inflammatory milieu. This is important because the cervix represents an important biological interface between the lower and upper reproductive tract. Although our study is based on a relatively small cohort, it provides an important initial dataset from an Indian community setting and highlights that apparently healthy women can have distinct microbial and inflammatory profiles that may not be evident clinically. The study identified distinct microbial and cytokine signatures associated with asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis and Candida infections. How could these findings contribute to the development of next-generation diagnostic tools for women's reproductive health? Dr Vikrant Bhor: One of the important observations was that Lactobacillus was the predominant genus, with Lactobacillus iners being the most abundant species. However, the microbial communities were not uniform across women. Women with asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis showed increased abundance of organisms such as Prevotella and Streptococcus, while Candida infection was associated with changes involving Atopobium and Collinsella. These microbial alterations were accompanied by changes in the local cytokine environment. This suggests that combining microbial markers with host-response markers may eventually provide a more informative diagnostic approach than detecting individual organisms alone. However, these signatures first need validation in larger and diverse populations before they can be translated into clinical diagnostics. Microbiome research is increasingly influencing precision medicine globally. How do you envision cervical microbiome profiling being integrated into personalised preventive and therapeutic strategies for women in India over the next decade? Dr Deepti Tandon: We are still at an early stage. Before microbiome profiling can become part of routine reproductive healthcare, we need to understand what constitutes a healthy microbial ecosystem across different Indian populations and how it changes with age, hormonal status, reproductive events and clinical conditions. The important shift will be from asking “Which organism is present?” to asking “What is the microbial community doing, and how is the host responding to it?” This will require longitudinal datasets, validated biomarkers and affordable technologies. Ultimately, microbiome information could help identify women at risk of particular outcomes and perhaps guide more personalised prevention or treatment, but this will require considerable clinical validation. Your team employed nanopore sequencing alongside multiplex cytokine analysis. How important are advanced sequencing and multi-omics technologies in improving our understanding of reproductive health, and what technological gaps still need to be addressed in India? Dr Vikrant Bhor: Technologies like sequencing provide considerably greater resolution of microbial communities than conventional diagnostic approaches. However, sequencing alone gives us only one part of the picture. When microbiome data are integrated with cytokines, host factors and eventually metabolomic or other molecular information, we can begin to understand the functional interaction between the microbial community and the host. For India, we need greater access to sequencing facilities, standardised sample-processing and analytical protocols, trained personnel and strong bioinformatics capacity. Equally important is making these technologies affordable and reproducible across centres. Building such infrastructure will allow us to move from small descriptive studies towards clinically meaningful, multi-centre research. Many women with bacterial vaginosis or Candida infections remain asymptomatic. What are the broader clinical and public health implications of identifying these 'silent' infections before symptoms develop? Dr Deepti Tandon: Our findings reinforce an important principle: the absence of symptoms does not necessarily mean the absence of biological changes. Some apparently healthy women had bacterial vaginosis or Candida infection accompanied by alterations in their microbial and inflammatory profiles. However, we should also be careful not to equate detection of a microorganism with disease. The female genital tract has a complex microbial ecosystem, and colonisation, dysbiosis and clinically significant infection are not always synonymous. The more important question is whether particular microbial and host-response patterns are associated with clinically relevant outcomes such as recurrence, relapse or treatment failure. This is an area that requires further investigation. From a translational research perspective, what are the key milestones that need to be achieved before discoveries such as these can be translated into routine clinical practice or commercial diagnostic solutions? Dr Deepti Tandon: The first requirement is validation in larger, well-characterised and geographically diverse Indian populations. We then need to identify reproducible microbial or inflammatory signatures and establish whether they have genuine clinical utility rather than simply statistical association. These signatures must subsequently be translated into tests that are accurate, reproducible, affordable and practical for different healthcare settings. Prospective and longitudinal studies will be particularly important to determine whether such markers can predict recurrence, relapse or treatment failure. Only after these steps can we realistically consider their incorporation into routine clinical practice. India's biotechnology ecosystem is witnessing increasing investments in microbiome research. What opportunities do you see for collaborations between academic institutions, healthcare providers and biotech companies in translating cervical microbiome research into real-world applications? Dr Vikrant Bhor: There is considerable opportunity for collaboration. India has a large and diverse population, and generating well-characterised Indian datasets should be a priority. Academic institutions can address the underlying biology, clinicians can define clinically relevant questions and outcomes, and biotechnology companies can help develop scalable and affordable technologies. Such collaborations can also facilitate multi-centre studies and independent validation of biomarkers. The objective should be to move beyond generating microbiome datasets towards developing solutions that are clinically relevant, affordable and suitable for the Indian healthcare ecosystem. The study provides an initial reference dataset for the cervical microbiome in Indian women. How important are population-specific microbiome reference datasets for developing accurate diagnostics and precision healthcare solutions? Dr Vikrant Bhor: Population-specific datasets are extremely important because microbiome composition can vary with geography, ethnicity, lifestyle and other host factors. India itself has substantial diversity, so it would be inappropriate to assume that a reference profile generated in another population necessarily represents Indian women. Our study should therefore be viewed as an initial foundation rather than a definitive reference range. Larger multi-centre and longitudinal studies are needed to understand both population-level variation and individual microbial dynamics. Such datasets will be essential for developing meaningful biomarkers and eventually precision approaches to reproductive healthcare. Looking ahead, are there plans to expand this work through larger multi-centre studies, longitudinal follow-up, or integration with genomics, metabolomics or AI-based analytics? Dr Deepti Tandon: Yes. Longitudinal studies involving women with recurrent, relapsing and treatment-failure bacterial vaginosis are already underway. We are combining detailed clinical information with microbiome and inflammatory markers to understand why some women respond to treatment while others experience recurrence, relapse or treatment failure. In the future, integration of microbiome data with other molecular datasets, including metabolomics, and the use of advanced analytical approaches such as AI may help identify complex patterns that are difficult to recognise through conventional analysis. However, the biological relevance and clinical validation of these findings will remain essential. What message would you like to share with researchers, clinicians and biotechnology innovators about the future potential of microbiome science in transforming women's healthcare in India? Dr Vikrant Bhor: Microbiome science has enormous potential, but we are still moving from the descriptive phase towards understanding function and clinical relevance. The important question is not simply which microorganisms are present, but how microbial communities interact with the host and influence health and disease. For India, we need collaborative, population-specific and clinically driven research, supported by longitudinal studies, standardised methodologies and validated biomarkers. There is a major opportunity to bring together clinicians, microbiologists, immunologists, bioinformaticians and biotechnology innovators. If we can make this transition from microbiome mapping to mechanistic understanding and clinical translation, microbiome science could contribute substantially to better diagnostics, prevention and treatment of women's reproductive health conditions.   Mansi Jamsudkar Padvekar mansi.jamsudkar@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28499/hyderabad-based-health-tech-startup-litemed-india-introduces-curapod-m.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28499/hyderabad-based-health-tech-startup-litemed-india-introduces-curapod-m.html Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:18:19 +0530 Litemed India, a Hyderabad-based health-tech startup, has introduced Curapod M, a science-led solution developed specifically for menstrual pain and cramps. Fully engineered and manufactured in India, Curapod M brings together medical-grade photobiomodulation (PBM), adaptive personalisation and digital intelligence to address an experience that women have been expected to plan their lives around for generations. Curapod M is licensed by CDSCO and registered with the US FDA. At the centre of Curapod M is a clinically validated photobiomodulation platform designed to work on biological processes associated with menstrual pain, including prostaglandin-linked pathways involved in cramping. In clinical evaluation, 80% of women experienced zero pain after using Curapod M. Curapod M uses specific red and near-infrared wavelengths through photobiomodulation, supported by a proprietary adaptive engine that personalises therapy. Its companion app learns from the user’s cycle, pain patterns, and therapy history and is designed to anticipate the likely intensity of an upcoming cycle. Together, the device and app shift the experience from reacting to pain to anticipating and managing it more intelligently. Curapod M is expected to roll out across India through Curapod’s website, Amazon, and Flipkart, with an indicative launch price of around Rs 11,999. Availability will extend across metros and Tier 2 markets. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28493/organon-announces-grants-to-support-womens-health-in-bihar-and-up.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28493/organon-announces-grants-to-support-womens-health-in-bihar-and-up.html Wed, 16 Sep 2026 17:38:40 +0530 Organon, a global healthcare company focused on women's health, has signed an agreement sealing a shared commitment with two 2026 Her Health Grant recipients in India: Population Services International India (PSI India) and Ipas Development Foundation (IDF). The grants will support programmes addressing adolescent health and well-being in Bihar and expanding access to contraceptive choice through the private health sector in Uttar Pradesh. The Organon Her Health Grants is a global programme designed to support organisations that expand access, equity, and informed choice for women and girls, marking a significant milestone in local community efforts to strengthen women’s health initiatives.  PSI India will implement the AWESOMM_HER programme in Bihar across five districts, Purnia, Katihar, Kishanganj, Araria and Gaya, integrating nutritional support, menstrual health and hygiene education, and mental health resilience counselling into the daily lives of adolescent girls. On the other hand, Ipas Development Foundation will work across five districts of Uttar Pradesh to strengthen the private health sector's capacity to offer women a fuller range of contraceptive choices, with a focus on long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods.  Speaking on the signing of the Her Health Grants agreement, Andreas Daugaard Jørgensen, Managing Director of Organon Asia Pacific, said: “India is home to the largest adolescent populations in the world and some of the most significant unmet needs in women's health, so this is an important focus for Organon. These two programmes tackle different points in a woman's life, from the health information a teenager needs to the contraceptive choices a woman makes as an adult. Both programs can have significant impact for education, health and opportunity for the women. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28361/ayush-ministry-strengthens-ayurveda-based-maternal-health-and-wellness-support.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28361/ayush-ministry-strengthens-ayurveda-based-maternal-health-and-wellness-support.html Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:53:46 +0530 New Delhi-based All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), an autonomous premier institute under the Ministry of Ayush, has launched the 'Garbhini Mitra' course for the academic session 2026-2027. The initiative is a structured healthcare skill development programme that aims to prepare trained personnel to provide appropriate health education, lifestyle guidance and support at the community level to women during pregnancy and postpartum period. The course is based on the traditional concepts of Ayurveda Garbhini Paricharaya (Prenatal Care), Sutika Paricharya (Postnatal Care) and Garbhadhana Vidhi (Pre-Conception Care). The six-month duration offline training programme will be conducted from Monday to Friday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The participants will be given hands-on training on dietary knowledge, lifestyle changes, safe yoga during pregnancy, emotional support during delivery, newborn massage and basic life-support protocols for different stages of pregnancy. The course also lays special emphasis on infection control, sanitation and sanitisation, biomedical waste management and workplace safety. The course will be conducted at AIIA campus, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi. Each batch will have 20 students. Candidates who have passed the Senior Secondary (10+2) examination from any recognized board of India and are at least 18 years of age are eligible to apply. Candidates who are currently awaiting their 12th class results can also submit the provisional application. After completing the course, candidates can work as Pregnant Mitra Assistant, Prenatal/Postnatal Care Assistant, Prenatal Health & Welfare Guide and Maternal Health Support Worker. Opportunities are available for them in AYUSH centres, maternity clinics, NGOs, community health projects and health and wellness institutions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28292/apollo-invests-approx-rs-40-cr-to-build-lymphedema-clinic-for-womens-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28292/apollo-invests-approx-rs-40-cr-to-build-lymphedema-clinic-for-womens-healthcare.html Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:32:55 +0530 Apollo Athenaa, Asia's first dedicated women cancer centre by Apollo Hospitals, has announced the launch of India's first one stop comprehensive Lymphedema Clinic in Delhi, accredited by the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN)—an internationally recognised non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing education, research and advocacy for lymphatic diseases—setting a new benchmark in the management of cancer-related lymphedema. Designed around internationally recognised standards of care, the clinic (built with an investment of approx Rs 40 crore) brings together specialised surgeons, lymphedema therapists, nurses, dermatologists and rehabilitation experts under a single multidisciplinary programme, offering comprehensive care spanning prevention, early diagnosis, advanced microsurgery, rehabilitation and lifelong follow-up. India is estimated to have over one million people living with lymphedema. Of these, an estimated 400,000–600,000 are living with cancer-related lymphedema, with 30,000–50,000 new cases developing annually. As cancer survival rates continue to improve, this burden is expected to rise, underscoring the urgent need for dedicated multidisciplinary lymphedema services. Women undergoing breast and gynaecological cancer treatment remain among the most vulnerable, as lymph node removal and radiation therapy can permanently disrupt lymphatic drainage, resulting in chronic swelling, recurrent infections, reduced mobility and a significant impact on long-term quality of life. Up to 20% to 42% of women develop arm lymphedema after breast cancer surgery, and roughly 31% to 37% of survivors of gynecological cancers experience lower-limb lymphedema. Despite this growing burden, access to specialised multidisciplinary lymphedema care remains limited in India, with patients often navigating fragmented treatment pathways that delay intervention and compromise long-term outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28232/femcare-brand-healthfab-invests-rs-15-cr-to-open-manufacturing-plant-in-andhra-pradesh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28232/femcare-brand-healthfab-invests-rs-15-cr-to-open-manufacturing-plant-in-andhra-pradesh.html Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:55:14 +0530 Bengaluru-based FemCare brand Healthfab has announced signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to acquire 2 acres of land in Kuppam, Chittoor District to launch their second manufacturing plant for a range of period care panties. The company plans to invest Rs 15 crore in the unit with an aim to generate over 700 direct and indirect employment. The expenditure will be spread across factory infrastructure, advanced manufacturing equipment, modern technology, quality assurance infrastructure and workforce development The proposed manufacturing plant will house Healthfab's vertically integrated manufacturing facility, including production units, quality testing, warehousing, research & development and administrative infrastructure. With a monthly capacity of over 4 lakh period care panties, the company also plans to design and manufacture reusable period panties, disposable period panties and other products that are currently in the pipeline. Commenting on the signing of MoU, Kiriti Acharjee, Co-founder, CEO, Healthfab said, “This will be our second manufacturing facility with the first one being at Bangalore. As we build this unit, we will focus on sustainability being an important pillar in the overall design and development. The facility is being planned with energy-efficient machinery, responsible waste management and recycling practices, water conservation measures, reduced manufacturing waste through optimised production, and environmentally responsible sourcing and packaging.” Healthfab recently raised Rs 20 crore in Series A round led by Atomic Capital. The company is on a trajectory to reach an ARR of Rs 100 crore within the next 100 days. Healthfab is backed by Mistry Ventures and Beyondseed of Singapore.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28190/rj-corp-healthcare-launches-cocoon-hospital-in-chandigarh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28190/rj-corp-healthcare-launches-cocoon-hospital-in-chandigarh.html Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:25:46 +0530 RJ Corp Healthcare has announced the launch of Cocoon Hospital, Chandigarh, a premium mother and child healthcare facility dedicated to delivering integrated, technology-enabled and compassionate care for women, mothers, newborns and children. The launch comes at a significant time for Chandigarh's healthcare landscape, as the city continues to emerge as a major hub for advanced medical services through both public and private sector investments. Cocoon Hospitals complement this evolving ecosystem by bringing specialised maternal and child healthcare closer to families across the region. Guided by its philosophy of "Creating Lifelong Bonds," Cocoon Hospitals has been envisioned as a comprehensive destination where every stage of parenthood—from pregnancy planning and antenatal care to high-risk pregnancies, childbirth, neonatal intensive care, paediatrics and women's wellness—is supported through evidence-based clinical expertise and compassionate care. Sharing his thoughts on the expansion, Ravi Kant Jaipuria, Founder & Chairman, RJ Corp Healthcare, said: "Our expansion strategy is well underway, with upcoming advanced facilities in Lucknow and Guwahati, as we continue building a nationwide network of specialised maternal and child healthcare ecosystems." Designed to meet the evolving needs of modern families, Cocoon Hospitals offer comprehensive services across obstetrics, gynaecology, fertility, foetal medicine, neonatal intensive care, paediatrics and women's health. The launch of Cocoon Hospital, Chandigarh, further reinforces RJ Corp Healthcare's long-term vision of expanding specialised maternal and child healthcare across India. Alongside the upcoming pipeline projects in Lucknow and Guwahati, this network expansion is poised to set new benchmarks in pregnancy care, neonatal medicine and paediatric healthcare for families across Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and the wider North India region.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28093/avni-wellness-raises-rs-4-cr-to-scale-operations-in-femtech-and-womens-wellness-market.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28093/avni-wellness-raises-rs-4-cr-to-scale-operations-in-femtech-and-womens-wellness-market.html Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:01:19 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Avni Wellness, a science-backed women's health brand building an integrated ecosystem across menstrual hygiene, cycle nutrition, and awareness-led care, has raised Rs 4 crore in a strategic funding round as it looks to scale its operations in India’s rapidly evolving femtech and women’s wellness market.The company operates in a category that is undergoing a structural shift, moving away from fragmented hygiene-led consumption toward lifecycle-based health models that integrate nutrition, preventive care, and long-term hormonal wellness. The feminine hygiene products market is projected to reach Rs 70.20 billion by 2025, reflecting steady category growth. However, women’s nutritional and hormonal wellness remains significantly underpenetrated in comparison, indicating a large whitespace for science-led brands to build more integrated and preventive health solutions. The round was led by Proteus Partners, Avni's earliest institutional backer, with the team playing an active role in building the ecosystem alongside the founder. Operator-investors Puru Gupta and Sreejith Moolayil (ex co-founders of True Elements) bringing direct D2C category expertise, while Dr A. Velumani (ex founder, Thyrocare) and impact investor Somya Nigam invested through Bharat ke Super Founders. Avni Wellness said the capital will be used to strengthen its digital commerce engine, expand its cycle nutrition portfolio, and scale its women led micro entrepreneur network to 10,000 entrepreneurs  across Bharat. Avni Wellness’ portfolio includes India’s first patented antimicrobial reusable pad and a liposomal iron supplement aimed at better nutrient absorption to address widespread iron deficiency among Indian women. The brand also offers solutions across PCOS care, calcium support, UTI and vaginal health, and seed-based hormonal nutrition, creating a comprehensive lifecycle approach to women’s health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28050/corona-remedies-commercialises-womens-hormone-manufacturing-facility-in-ahmedabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28050/corona-remedies-commercialises-womens-hormone-manufacturing-facility-in-ahmedabad.html Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:47:14 +0530 CORONA Remedies has announced the inauguration and commercialisation of its dedicated EU-GMP approved Hormone Manufacturing Facility at Bhayla, Ahmedabad. The facility marks a significant milestone in the company's journey towards building globally benchmarked pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities. As global attention towards women's healthcare continues to grow, driven by greater awareness and diagnosis of hormonal disorders, increasing demand for fertility care and expanding focus on menopause management and hormone replacement therapies, the need for specialised, high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing has become more critical than ever (as per WHO factsheet on Infertility Nov. 2025).   Hormonal medicines are among the most complex pharmaceutical products to manufacture. Their high potency, sensitive formulations and stringent contamination control requirements demand dedicated facilities equipped with sophisticated technologies, specialised engineering systems and uncompromising regulatory standards.   CORONA's integrated manufacturing platform supports multiple dosage forms—including tablets, soft gel capsules, ointments and gels—within a single specialised manufacturing ecosystem, enabling the company to cater to a broad spectrum of women's healthcare therapies.   Spread across 1.0 lakh sq. ft; the facility has an annual manufacturing capacity of 194 million tablets/capsules and 1.5 million ointments/gels. With the commissioning of this facility, CORONA's in-house hormone manufacturing capacity is expected to increase by nearly 20%. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28012/reliance-owned-karkinos-healthcare-crosses-one-lakh-hpv-dna-tests.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/28012/reliance-owned-karkinos-healthcare-crosses-one-lakh-hpv-dna-tests.html Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:14:37 +0530 Karkinos Healthcare, a 100% step-down subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, has completed HPV DNA screening for over one lakh women across India, marking an important milestone in expanding access to high-quality cervical cancer screening and follow-up care. Cervical cancer prevention is often limited not only by access to screening, but also by loss to follow-up after a positive result. Mumbai-based Karkinos Healthcare’s model addresses both challenges through World Health Organization-recommended HPV DNA testing and a digitally enabled continuum of care that integrates awareness, screening, tracking, triage, navigation, and follow-up. The milestone has been achieved through multiple implementation models across diverse geographies, including public-health programmes, public-private partnerships, CSR supported initiatives, nurse-assisted and self-sampling programmes, district-level screening efforts, and focused outreach for underserved and high-risk communities. A large share of the women reached are those who, by circumstance or distance, may not otherwise have had access to screening. The achievement demonstrates that high-quality HPV DNA testing can be delivered at scale in India through technology-driven care pathways. The learnings and infrastructure developed through this programme can support wider adoption of organised cervical cancer screening and contribute to India’s cervical cancer elimination efforts. Commenting on this milestone, Dr Neerja Bhatla, Consultant, Early Detection and Women Wellness, Karkinos Healthcare, who is also a Padma Shri awardee and globally acclaimed leader in women’s health and oncology, said, “The evidence has been clear for some time that HPV DNA testing is the most reliable primary screen we have for cervical cancer. What matters now is not testing at scale alone but also ensuring that every woman who tests positive is carried through to diagnosis and treatment across the care continuum. A programme that can demonstrate that linkage at this volume, and well beyond the big cities, is exactly the direction India’s cervical cancer elimination effort needs.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27950/indias-validated-hpv-test-to-offer-cervical-cancer-screening-model-for-low-resource-countries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27950/indias-validated-hpv-test-to-offer-cervical-cancer-screening-model-for-low-resource-countries.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:12:48 +0530 India has achieved a significant milestone in cervical cancer prevention with the successful validation of the country's first indigenous HPV DNA tests which meet international standards for cervical cancer screening. Published in the International Journal of Cancer, a multicentre study involving leading Indian and international institutions found that Molbio Diagnostics' Truenat HPV-HR Plus met the validation criteria established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialised cancer research agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Indian women. The World Health Organization recommends HPV DNA testing as the preferred screening approach for cervical cancer because of its higher sensitivity in detecting high-risk HPV infections compared with conventional cytology-based methods such as the Pap smear. The validation comes at a crucial time for India's cervical cancer elimination efforts, as the country expands HPV vaccination and strengthens screening programmes for women above 30 years of age.  Importantly, the study marks the world's first formal validation of a reduced-valency HPV test— one that deliberately targets only the eight most cancer-causing strains rather than the usual 14 — setting a global scientific benchmark for evaluating this new class of affordable, point-of-care screening tools. The study was conducted through collaboration between leading Indian and international institutions, including AIIMS New Delhi, ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, France, and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. By narrowing its targets to 8 high-risk types, the assay avoids detecting transient, low-risk infections that 14-valent tests often detect. It successfully maintained an exceptional relative clinical specificity (0.99), demonstrating its potential to drastically reduce unnecessary secondary referrals, costly over-triage, and patient anxiety. This targeted approach offers a highly sustainable model for primary cervical cancer screening, particularly within low- and middle-income countries where optimising limited healthcare resources is paramount.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27935/remidio-receives-grant-from-gates-foundation-to-advance-maternal-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27935/remidio-receives-grant-from-gates-foundation-to-advance-maternal-healthcare.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:58:05 +0530 Bengaluru-based Remidio Innovative Solutions has received a grant from the Gates Foundation to advance its Oculomics platform, which uses retinal imaging and AI to detect signs of systemic disease, for maternal health applications in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initiative will focus on improving early risk assessment for major pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia (PE), anemia and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The program will be carried out across countries in Africa and India, regions that together bear the overwhelming share of the global maternal and perinatal disease burden. "The women most at risk from pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes are often the least likely to reach a laboratory or a specialist in time," said Dr Anand Sivaraman, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Director, Remidio. "A retinal image takes seconds and can be captured by a frontline worker with minimal training. This grant allows us to ask a clear question with real rigour: can the platform already deployed widely for diabetic retinopathy also help identify pregnancies at risk, in the places where that information is needed most." The biological link between retinal microvascular changes and systemic vascular and metabolic disease is now well established. Yet in the primary care and community settings where maternal mortality is concentrated, the diagnostic tools that currently support early risk stratification, namely complex laboratory assays, biochemical biomarkers and Doppler-based assessments, are largely unavailable at the point of care, requiring laboratory infrastructure, trained personnel and referral pathways that simply do not exist for most pregnant women in LMICs. Non-invasive retinal imaging, by contrast, is quick, easy to perform by frontline health workers with minimal training, and inherently scalable, making it uniquely suited to bringing advanced risk assessment to the front lines of antenatal care. Remidio's portable, smartphone-based retinal imaging platform is already widely deployed across primary care and community screening programmes for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and AMD. The grant will extend this platform into maternal health, with implementation across partner sites in Africa and India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27930/fujifilm-india-announces-first-installation-of-ai-powered-digital-mammography-system-at-nm-medical.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27930/fujifilm-india-announces-first-installation-of-ai-powered-digital-mammography-system-at-nm-medical.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:19:45 +0530 Fujifilm India, a leader in advanced diagnostic imaging solutions, has announced the installation of its latest AI Powered Digital Mammography System, AMULET SOPHINITY at NM Medical, Mmbai. India’s healthcare ecosystem is witnessing a growing emphasis on preventive healthcare and early disease detection, particularly in women’s health. According to estimates from the Indian Council of Medical Research, National Cancer Registry Programme, breast cancer is projected to remain the leading cancer among women in India, with over 2.32 lakh cases estimated in 2025.   As timely screening continues to play a critical role in enabling early diagnosis and improving clinical outcomes, rising awareness, expanding access to diagnostic services, and increasing adoption of advanced imaging technologies are further accelerating the need for clinically reliable, patient-friendly, and workflow-efficient mammography solutions across healthcare institutions in the country.Designed with a strong focus on patient comfort, diagnostic precision, and workflow efficiency, AMULET SOPHINITY represents Fujifilm’s next-generation mammography platform built around the philosophy of “Sophisticated Features. Human Comfort.”   The system integrates advanced AI-enabled technologies, high-definition imaging capabilities, and ergonomically designed patient-centric features to support radiologists and technologists in delivering accurate, efficient, and comfortable breast imaging experiences.Further strengthening workflow efficiency and positioning accuracy, the system integrates Fujifilm’s REiLI Medical AI technologies, including Intelligent AEC for optimised dose management based on breast composition, Positioning MAP for reproducible positioning support, and AI-driven Positioning Analysis tools that assist technologists in continuously improving imaging quality and consistency.The AMULET SOPHINITY platform also features a compact, space-saving footprint through integrated system architecture, enabling easier deployment across high-throughput hospitals, diagnostic centres, and space-constrained imaging environments. Its streamlined workflow design, user-friendly operation console, and rapid quality control tools further support operational efficiency and reliable clinical performance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/121/27933/medical-significance-of-renaming-pcos-as-pmos.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/121/27933/medical-significance-of-renaming-pcos-as-pmos.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:50:51 +0530 For years, I have seen women walk into clinics carrying the weight of confusion, shame, and misinformation around PCOS. Many come to believe they only have a “period problem.” Others think they cannot have PCOS because their scans did not show ovarian cysts. Some only discover the condition when they struggle with weight gain, acne, infertility, anxiety, or difficulty conceiving. That is exactly why the recent global move to rename PCOS as PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) is medically significant.   Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is now increasingly being referred to as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). The change comes after years of discussion among endocrinologists, reproductive health specialists, researchers, and patient advocacy groups worldwide. And honestly, I believe this shift was long overdue.     Why The Name “PCOS” Was Incomplete   One of the biggest misconceptions around PCOS has always been the word “polycystic ovary.” In reality, many women diagnosed with PCOS do not even have ovarian cysts. The condition is much more complex than what the old name suggested.   As doctors, we have known for years that PCOS is not just an ovarian disorder. It affects the entire hormonal and metabolic system of the body.Renaming PCOS as PMOS is more than a cosmetic change in medical terminology. For years, many women misunderstood the condition because the word ‘polycystic ovary’ made them believe it was only related to ovarian cysts or fertility. In reality, this condition affects the entire hormonal and metabolic system of the body.   The term PMOS better reflects what we see clinically today, women struggling not only with irregular periods and ovulation issues, but also insulin resistance, inflammation, weight fluctuations, stress-related hormonal imbalance, anxiety, poor sleep, and long-term metabolic risks. I believe this shift will help create broader awareness that hormonal health is deeply connected to overall wellbeing, not just reproduction. That is why the term PMOS feels more medically accurate.   The new name highlights the three major systems involved:   Polyendocrine- Meaning multiple hormonal systems are affected simultaneously.   Metabolic- Meaning the condition is strongly linked to insulin resistance, weight gain, inflammation, diabetes risk, and metabolic dysfunction.   Ovarian- Because ovulation, menstrual cycles, and fertility are still central aspects of the condition.   In simple words, PMOS acknowledges that this is a full-body hormonal and metabolic disorder, not merely a reproductive issue.   What concerns me deeply is how early these metabolic disturbances are now appearing. A decade ago, we commonly diagnosed PCOS in women in their late twenties or early thirties. Today, many girls in their late teens and early twenties already show symptoms like: Irregular periods, Acne and facial hair growth, Rapid weight gain, Hair thinning, Fatigue and poor sleep, Insulin resistance also anxiety and emotional burnout In my clinical practice, I often tell patients that PMOS is no longer just a fertility diagnosis. It has become a lifestyle-linked metabolic condition.   Modern urban lifestyles are contributing significantly to this rise. Sedentary routines, chronic stress, poor sleep, processed food consumption, excessive screen exposure, and hormonal dysregulation are all playing a role and the numbers reflect this shift.   Several Indian studies estimate that PCOS affects anywhere between 1 in 5 to 1 in 10 women depending on the region and diagnostic criteria used. Research has also shown that Indian women with PCOS are developing metabolic complications much earlier than previously expected.     PMOS Is Not Only About Fertility   One of the biggest problems with the older terminology was that many women only associated PCOS with pregnancy difficulties. But the condition goes far beyond fertility. Women with PMOS may also face increased long-term risks of: Type 2 diabetes, High cholesterol, Fatty liver disease, Hypertension, Sleep disturbances, Anxiety and depression and cardiovascular complications   In fact, studies have shown strong associations between PMOS, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and mental health disorders. This is why I strongly believe women need earlier diagnosis, better education, and more holistic treatment approaches.   One thing that often gets ignored in hormonal health conversations is the emotional burden women silently carry. Women with PMOS frequently struggle with body image issues, weight fluctuations, acne, infertility anxiety, social pressure, and emotional exhaustion. Many feel frustrated because they are blamed for symptoms they cannot fully control. Hormonal imbalance affects emotional wellbeing. And emotional stress further worsens hormonal imbalance. It becomes a cycle. This is why treatment cannot remain limited to medications alone. Women need compassionate, long-term support systems that focus on physical health, emotional wellbeing, sleep quality, stress regulation, nutrition, and metabolic care together.     So What Changes Now?   The diagnostic process remains largely the same. Women may still be evaluated based on menstrual irregularity, androgen excess, ovulation issues, metabolic markers, and ultrasound findings. But what changes is the way we understand the condition.   The term PMOS encourages both doctors and patients to move beyond the narrow idea of “ovarian cysts” and recognise the broader metabolic and endocrine impact of the disorder. And that shift matters. Because when women understand that their symptoms are connected, they stop blaming themselves and start seeking comprehensive care earlier.   If you have irregular periods, unexplained weight changes, acne, facial hair growth, fatigue, sleep disturbances, or difficulty conceiving, please do not ignore these signals. Hormonal health is not superficial. It affects every aspect of wellbeing, from metabolism and fertility to emotional health and long-term disease risk. Most importantly, PMOS is manageable with the right support. Lifestyle changes, proper sleep, regular movement, balanced nutrition, stress regulation, and personalised medical care can make a significant difference when started early.   Women deserve to know that this condition is not their fault and certainly not something they should feel ashamed of. The body is not working against them. It is asking for attention, regulation, and care.     Dr Snehal Kohale, a consultant Fertility Specialist & Gynaecologist  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27787/miror-therapeutics-strengthens-government-healthcare-outreach-through-bescom-womens-health-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27787/miror-therapeutics-strengthens-government-healthcare-outreach-through-bescom-womens-health-initiative.html Mon, 11 May 2026 13:43:48 +0530 Miror Therapeutics, in collaboration with the Soham Foundation and the Karnataka Department's BESCOM (Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Limited), effectively organised a Women's Health Awareness Programme on Perimenopause, Menopause & Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) under the banner of the Government Outreach initiative. This event was held at Belaku Bhavana, which is the corporate office of BESCOM located at KR Circle, Bengaluru. This activity involved the enthusiastic participation of women employees from BESCOM and emphasised the growing significance of healthcare awareness programmes for women regarding their mid-life hormones and wellness. As part of the organization’s growing involvement with the public sector, Miror Therapeutics is trying to establish partnerships with government bodies in order to bridge the gap in awareness concerning healthcare via effective educational programs led by experts in the field. The BESCOM project exemplifies the emerging status of the organization as an authority on healthcare knowledge as regards the development of wellness programs for employees. The project supports the overall aim of Miror Therapeutics in increasing awareness regarding the hormonal health of women through effective partnerships with government institutions, healthcare professionals, and community organisations. This has enabled the organisation to build its reputation as an ideal health awareness and wellness partner for government organisations in the State of Karnataka.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27753/menstrual-hygiene-focused-startup-healthfab-raises-rs-20-cr-in-series-a-from-atomic-capital-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27753/menstrual-hygiene-focused-startup-healthfab-raises-rs-20-cr-in-series-a-from-atomic-capital-.html Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Menstrual hygiene focused startup HealthFab has raised Rs 20 Crore in Series A from Mumbai-based Atomic Capital. Funds raised will be strategically deployed for expanding its holistic period care product portfolio, scaling distribution including quick commerce, and expanding manufacturing capacity to support growth. Founded in 2019 by Kiriti Acharjee, Sourav Chakrabarty, and Satyajit Chakraborty, Bengaluru-based HealthFab is India's holistic period care company that provides innovative yet affordable health and hygiene solutions. The company is best known for GoPadFree leak-proof reusable cotton period underwear which is designed to replace traditional sanitary pads by solving leakage problems and offering multi-layered absorbent systems which can hold up to several pads. Featured on SharkTank India, HealthFab is the number one brand in reusable period underwear on Amazon India and earned the company India's only dual BIS certification for 50-wash durability and anti-bacterial performance. The company has grown 3x in revenue growth year-on-year, ranked #1 on Amazon India in the reusable period underwear category and growing direct-to-consumer subscriber base with strong repeat purchase rates driven by cycle-aligned product design. HealthFab is also expanding beyond D2C into general trade (GT) and quick commerce channels, broadening its reach to new consumer segments — including first-time period care switchers and urban consumers seeking on-demand access to science-backed period wellness products. In the next 12 months, HealthFab plans to grow 3x in revenue and aims to deepen retention through digital engagement with its existing consumer base, and establish itself as India's leading holistic period care brand — not just a product, but a complete period wellness ecosystem.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27741/apollo-unveils-indias-first-fully-integrated-gynae-oncology-and-robotic-surgery-ecosystem-for-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27741/apollo-unveils-indias-first-fully-integrated-gynae-oncology-and-robotic-surgery-ecosystem-for-women.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Athenaa, Asia’s first comprehensive cancer centre dedicated exclusively to women, has announced the launch of India’s first fully integrated Gynae-Oncology and Robotic Surgery ecosystem, designed to address one of the most critical and underserved gaps in cancer care for women. Gynaecological cancers continue to pose a significant and growing burden in India. According to GLOBOCAN 2022, gynaecological cancers rank among the leading cancers affecting Indian women, contributing substantially to cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Complementing this, 2025 data from the Indian Council of Medical Research shows over 1,71,000 new cases of female genital cancers and nearly 86,000 deaths in a year pointing to a significant mortality burden. Despite this high disease burden, access to specialised, integrated care remains limited, treatment pathways are often fragmented across multiple providers, and early-stage specialist intervention continues to be out of reach for a large proportion of patients. In response to this growing crisis, Apollo Athenaa’s newly launched Gynae-Oncology and Robotic Surgery facility is designed to bridge the critical gap between rising case volumes and access to specialised, integrated care. By bringing together early detection, precision diagnostics, advanced robotic and minimally invasive surgery, and comprehensive post-treatment support within a single, coordinated framework, the ecosystem eliminates the need for patients to navigate fragmented care pathways across multiple providers. At its core, the model enables timely specialist intervention which is one of the most crucial factors in improving outcomes in gynaecological cancers, while also expanding access to fertility-preserving treatments, high end surgical intervention, shorter hospital stay, accelerated recovery and ability to resume their normal lifestyle and pathways. By embedding multidisciplinary expertise into every stage of the patient journey, Apollo Athenaa is not only addressing the shortage of integrated, gender-specific cancer centres in India but also setting a new benchmark for how women’s cancers are treated, holistically, precisely, and with continuity of care.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27730/sun-pharma-signs-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-organon-for-11-75-b.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27730/sun-pharma-signs-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-organon-for-11-75-b.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and US-based Organon & Co. have entered into a definitive agreement under which Sun Pharma will acquire all outstanding shares of Organon for $ 14.00 per share in an all‑cash transaction with an enterprise valuation of $11.75 billion. Organon is a global healthcare company formed through a spinoff from Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, in 2021. Organon has a legacy of deep trust and strong brand equity among HCPs, patients, regulators and other stakeholders. A global leader in women’s health, the company’s portfolio includes more than 70 products across Women’s Health and General Medicines, which includes biosimilars, commercialised across 140 countries, with the US, Europe, China, Canada, and Brazil among its largest markets. This global footprint is supported by six manufacturing facilities across the European Union and emerging markets, reinforcing its scale and reach. Together, Organon’s General Medicines and Women’s Health franchise reflect the company’s commitment to advancing access and affordability for communities around the world. The proposed acquisition of Organon is aligned with Sun Pharma’s strategy of growing its Innovative Medicines business. The combined company becomes a stronger player in Established Brands /Branded Generics business. The deal also enables Sun Pharma’s entry into biosimilars as a Top-10 global player. Organon’s portfolio, global footprint and strong stakeholder relationships shall complement Sun Pharma’s existing strengths and enhance long‑term value creation. Upon successful consummation of the transaction, Sun Pharma is poised to be among the top 25 global pharmaceutical companies with combined revenue of $12.4 billion; a leading player in Established Brands/Branded Generics; a top 3 company in global Women’s Health, creating a commercial platform for future growth. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both Sun Pharma and Organon and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by Organon stockholders. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027. Dilip Shanghvi, Executive Chairman of Sun Pharma, said, “This transaction represents a significant opportunity for Sun Pharma to build on its vision of Reaching People and Touching Lives. Organon’s portfolio, capabilities and global reach are highly complementary to our own, and we believe that bringing the two organizations together can create a stronger and more diversified platform.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27480/kimberly-clark-and-unicef-partner-to-advance-menstrual-and-maternal-health-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27480/kimberly-clark-and-unicef-partner-to-advance-menstrual-and-maternal-health-in-india.html Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Kimberly-Clark India and UNICEF India have announced a strategic collaboration to strengthen menstrual and maternal health services across India (in states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand,  West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gujarat). In alignment with Kimberly-Clark’s vision of delivering Better Care for a Better World, the partnership will expand access to essential health services while empowering women and girls through improved knowledge on menstrual and maternal health, strengthened community engagement, and enhanced health systems. This joint initiative aims to improve health, dignity, and well-being of 2.88 million adolescent girls, women and infants, while engaging an additional 2.87 million community members through education and behavior-change initiatives focused on menstrual health, maternal care, and early childhood well-being. Through this collaboration, Kimberly-Clark and UNICEF will support strengthening national and state health systems, improve adolescent-friendly services, and build greater awareness that will help girls and mothers make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. This initiative will take India closer to its public health and gender equality goals by advancing sustainable and inclusive community impact.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/121/27408/designing-better-healthcare-by-women-for-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/121/27408/designing-better-healthcare-by-women-for-women.html Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 As per reports, the women healthcare market in India is projected to grow from $0.81 billion in 2025 to $1.75 billion by 2035, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.08 per cent, thereby focusing on women’s health issues such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, menstruation, reproductive health, menopause and much more. The major factors contributing to this growth include technological advancements, new government initiatives and policies, cultural shifts, rising awareness, and increasing female workforce participation in the country. Government policies and initiatives aimed at improving women's health are in fact one of the crucial drivers of the women healthcare market in India. For instance, in January 2026, under the guidance of Meghna Bordikar, Minister of State for Health, Maharashtra took a landmark step in women’s healthcare by becoming the first state in India to introduce dedicated menopause clinics. The state has rolled out these clinics across government hospitals and urban health centres, creating a dedicated space for women experiencing menopause to seek support and care. In December 2025, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has funded a new national clinical trial aimed at improving access to high-cost targeted cancer therapies for women, with the official launch of the IPIROC study by the Kolkata Gynaecological Oncology Trials and Translational Research (KOLGOTRG). The trial developed by Dr Asima Mukhopadhyay, titled Intermittent PARP Inhibitor Regimen in Ovarian Cancer (IPIROC), will evaluate whether an intermittent, twice-weekly dosing strategy of the PARP inhibitor rucaparib can reduce side effects and costs while maintaining clinical efficacy in ovarian cancer patients.  Likewise, the government is putting a major focus on the growing burden of cervical cancer in the country. With 25 per cent of global cervical cancer deaths occurring in India, often due to late diagnosis, the government is stressing the critical need for preventive screening strategies, and supporting the industry in this process. For example, the GCI-BIRAC-DBT programme titled ‘Validating Indigenous Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Tests for Cervical Cancer Screening in India’ successfully validated rapid, point-of-care, RT-PCR-based human papillomavirus (HPV) diagnostic test kits, developed by the private sector (Truenat HPV-HR Plus by Goa-based Molbio Diagnostics, and Patho Detect by Pune-based Mylab Discovery Solutions). According to Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Government of India, “The ultimate goal is to position India as a global leader in preventive healthcare, with one focus on recognising the prevalence of cervical cancer among adolescents and young women. The current screening methods for cervical cancer, including VIA/VILI, Pap smears, and HPV DNA testing, are costly, resource-intensive, and moderately sensitive. The new indigenous kits developed in India are expected to significantly reduce the cost and improve accessibility for widespread use.” As another development, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital is introducing a new medical procedure, Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), for the first time in state government hospitals. This treatment, designed for women afflicted with ovarian cancer, involves the direct application of heated chemotherapy drugs into the abdominal cavity. The HIPEC machine which costs around Rs 1 crore is being procured from a private player of the global medtech industry. Recognising the necessity of this treatment for women, CMCH plans to offer the treatment free of charge under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS). With public-private partnerships getting stronger in the women healthcare space, another example was recently seen at the World Economic Forum 2026, where Smriti Irani, Former Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of India, showed her support towards the launch of a science-led women’s wellness initiative by Andhra Pradesh-based Laila Nutraceuticals. Led by Yuthika Gokaraju, Vice President – Business Development at Laila Nutraceuticals, the initiative brings together patented, clinically validated bioactives with advanced dual-release delivery systems designed for daily usability and consistent absorption, thereby improving women’s health. With women constituting approximately 48.4 per cent of the country’s 1.4 billion population, the women’s healthcare market is emerging as a significantly addressable one. However, complexities and challenges continue to hinder its growth. For instance, a large percentage of women in rural areas still lack access to basic diagnostic and specialist services. Moreover, many primary health centres are under-resourced, with shortages of trained professionals and essential equipment for women patients in particular. “Today, breast cancer has emerged as the most common cancer among Indian women, while over 1.2 lakh new cervical cancer cases are reported annually, highlighting the urgent need for early screening and timely diagnosis. Yet, two challenges continue to hold the market back. First is affordability: out-of-pocket spending is still a major reality in India. Second is capability and talent. There is also a significant shortage of skilled professionals, including radiologists, lab technicians, and women’s health specialists, which impacts service delivery and scalability. To truly accelerate progress, the industry must invest in talent development, strengthen infrastructure, and prioritise innovation in affordable, accessible, and women-centric diagnostic solutions”, said Anika Parashar, Health Veteran & Social Entrepreneur.   Women reshaping innovations for women In order to address some of the current challenges, we are now seeing that the women’s healthcare market is being driven aggressively by women themselves. And that is also because women within the industry are carrying a personal understanding of the social, logistical and emotional barriers that influence healthcare decisions. Quoting an example, Pragmatech Healthcare Solutions, a biotech startup co-founded by Sayantani Pramanik from Vadodara, has developed CERVICHECK, India's first CDSCO approved at-home, self-sampling kit for HPV screening to bring cervical cancer screening to every woman across the country. The kit has been developed in collaboration with Dr Gauravi Mishra and her team at the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai. For Pragmatech, the vision for the next five years is to emerge as a leading preventive women’s health company in India and other low-resource countries. Then there is Mumbai-based startup Pinky Promise, founded by Divya Balaji Kamerkar, Rahul Kamerkar, and Akanksha Vyas. A first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence (AI)-led digital clinic for women, the startup has raised $1 million in a pre-seed funding a few weeks ago. Through their startup, the women founders have developed a platform to diagnose and manage women’s health issues, addressing a critical gap in Indian healthcare for accessible, non-judgmental, and high-quality sexual and reproductive health care. Serial entrepreneur Neha K Motwani has set up another example through her startup Luma Fertility. The startup has recently secured $4 million in seed funding, to provide accessible, tech-enabled, and emotionally supportive fertility solutions. Pune-based woman entrepreneur Jilma Peruvangat, through her startup Kozhnosys, is currently developing non-invasive diagnostic tools that analyse breath to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with breast cancer, to be launched in the market in 2027. The startup’s signature product, CanScan, is designed to screen for breast cancer using only a breath sample, offering a painless, quick alternative to conventional methods like mammography or biopsies. Another startup based in Pune, Intignus Biotech founded by Dr Vaishnavi Kulkarni, has built PEscreen- a rapid, minimally invasive screening test that predicts the risk of preeclampsia weeks before symptoms manifest. Based on the levels of a placenta-based biomarker, the test uses just a drop of blood and provides results in about 15 minutes. It is designed to work at the point of care in hospitals, clinics, pathology labs, primary health centres, and even during routine antenatal visits. Preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure and other serious symptoms, is responsible for a large number of maternal and foetal health issues worldwide. To be available at a cost of one-fourth of the current tests available, Dr Vaishnavi plans to launch this novel product for women on World Preeclampsia Day which falls on May 22. At the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad, Prof. Nita Parekh, Professor of Bioinformatics is integrating data for early breast cancer detection as the disease has several subtypes. By combining DNA methylation data, RNA expression profiles and machine learning, Prof. Nita’s team has identified molecular signatures that can distinguish cancer subtypes, predict patient risk and survival and also point to early diagnostic markers. These findings pave the way for liquid biopsies, simple blood tests that detect cancer signals long before symptoms appear. According to Dr Radhika Sheth, Medical Director, Luma Fertility, “What is becoming increasingly clear to me in clinical practice is that women in India are entering the healthcare system with different expectations than they did even a few years ago. There is greater awareness around early testing, reproductive planning and long-term health risks, yet the system is still catching up with how and when women seek care. The rapid rise of FemTech and women’s health startups reflects how unmet clinical needs are being translated into accessible tools. Teleconsultation, symptom tracking and diagnostics designed for conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis are improving engagement, but access alone is not enough. For women’s healthcare to truly progress, innovation must be paired with evidence-based public health frameworks, stronger clinical governance and scalable training models.” The women’s healthcare market in India stands at a pivotal moment during 2026, being shaped by new developments and innovations, yet constrained by certain challenges. What we now truly need is a multi-stakeholder collaboration involving policymakers, healthcare professionals, scientists, technology innovators, and women themselves to unlock the true potential of the women's healthcare sector.    Vrushti Kothari (vrushti.kothari@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27205/novo-holdings-invests-in-surya-hospitals-to-strengthen-access-to-high-quality-womens-and-childrens-healthcare-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27205/novo-holdings-invests-in-surya-hospitals-to-strengthen-access-to-high-quality-womens-and-childrens-healthcare-in-india.html Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Novo Holdings, a leading global healthcare and life sciences investor, has made an investment in Surya Hospitals, the largest private women's and children's specialty hospital chain in Western India. The investment is for a significant minority stake and underscores Novo Holdings' continued commitment to building scaled, high-quality healthcare platforms in India. The Group operates a network of superspecialty hospitals across Mumbai, Pune, and Jaipur. While maternal health remains a core pillar, Surya has evolved into a comprehensive, superspecialty institution delivering advanced care across complex gynaecology, neonatology, paediatrics, and multiple surgical super-specialities. Over the past four decades, Surya has built a strong reputation as a trusted referral destination for complex cases, serving patients from across Western India and beyond. All Surya Hospitals facilities are NABH-accredited, reflecting the Group's consistent adherence to high standards of patient safety, clinical governance, and quality of care. The Group contributes meaningfully to improved health outcomes for women and children, supporting India's efforts to strengthen its healthcare system in areas of critical need. Novo Holdings' investment will support Surya Hospitals' next phase of growth, including the expansion of its footprint across Western India, continued buildup of the clinical infrastructure, and the strengthening of its specialist medical teams.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27202/indias-first-ai-led-digital-clinic-for-women-pinky-promise-raises-1m.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27202/indias-first-ai-led-digital-clinic-for-women-pinky-promise-raises-1m.html Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Pinky Promise, a first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence (AI)-led digital clinic for women, has raised $1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by the Rebalance Angel Community, India’s first accelerator and angel community focused on advancing diversity among founders and funders. The round saw participation from reputed angels such as Padma Bhushan awardee and former MD and CEO of Tata Consultancy Services, Subramanian Ramadorai, and Mala Ramadorai. Pinky Promise is designed to instantly and reliably diagnose and manage women’s health issues, addressing a critical gap in Indian healthcare for accessible, non-judgmental, and high-quality sexual and reproductive health care. The app combines advanced AI with expert gynaecologist oversight to give women confidential, instant, and affordable care, empowering them to address concerns at any stage of life or need. Through the app, women can access care 24x7, instantly chat with an experienced gynaecologist, and receive prescriptions and guidance within minutes – all at a pocket-friendly starting price of Rs 99. This model is powered by custom AI systems that work closely alongside qualified gynaecologists. This fresh capital will be used to accelerate integrated offerings, support the rollout of physical clinics, and expand a range of clinically backed nutritional supplements, enabling continuity of care at a national scale. Mumbai-based startup Pinky Promise has delivered gynaecological care to over 350,000 women on 320+ symptoms and conditions from period problems and UTIs to fertility, pregnancy, PCOS and more. They have 40,000 paying customers across every district in India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27129/intas-pharmaceuticals-collaborates-with-integrimedical.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/121/27129/intas-pharmaceuticals-collaborates-with-integrimedical.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Ahmedabad-based Intas Pharmaceuticals has entered into an exclusive agreement with IntegriMedical, the technology leader behind India’s first Needle-Free Injection System (N-FIS), to introduce this revolutionary technology for use in IVF and gynecology treatments across India. This marks a significant milestone in IVF and women’s health. Securing exclusivity for a first-of-its-kind needle-free injector transforms both the delivery and experience of treatment, placing patient comfort and confidence at the forefront of care. Through this agreement, Intas becomes the first and only company in India to offer IVF and gynecology therapies with needle-free injections, setting a new benchmark for patient-centric innovative drug delivery system. The collaboration represents a decisive step in transforming how reproductive care is delivered. By leveraging IntegriMedical’s proprietary drug-delivery technology, Intas aims to reduce injection-related discomfort and anxiety while enhancing compliance and patient satisfaction. Under the agreement, Intas, in collaboration with IntegriMedical, will streamline deployment of needle-free injections across IVF clinics and gynecology centers nationwide. India represents one of the fastest-growing IVF markets globally. Reportedly, the current number is around 300,000 to 350,000 cycles per year, with projections suggesting this could increase to 500,000 to 600,000 cycles by 2027. At scale, this results in several million injections administered every year as part of IVF treatment in India alone. By integrating needle-free injection technology into IVF treatment pathways, the collaboration is expected to improve the treatment experience for hundreds of thousands of women annually, particularly by reducing injection-related pain, anxiety, and treatment fatigue.   Image credit- L-R- Sarvesh Mutha, Managing Director, IntegriMedical and Durga P Satapathy, Executive Vice President, Intas Pharmaceuticals   ]]>